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A girls' secondary school in south London has won the Riba Stirling Prize, the UK's leading architecture award.

Burntwood School, a large comprehensive girls’ school in Wandsworth, London by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM) has won the coveted RIBA Stirling Prize 2015 for the UK’s best new building. Now in its 20th year, the RIBA Stirling Prize, sponsored by Almacantar, is the UK’s most prestigious architecture prize.The presentation of the RIBA Stirling Prize trophy to architects AHMM took place at a special ceremony this evening (Thursday 15 October) at the Royal Institute of British Architects in London.AHMM’s transformation of Burntwood School reimagines a 1950’s modernist secondary school campus for 2000 girls and 200 staff. The architects created six new faculty buildings and two large cultural buildings linking original buildings by renowned 1950s/1960s architect Sir Leslie Martin.

Every building is full of light and air with double height spaces at the end of each corridor to increase natural daylight and create well-framed views. It offers a range of teaching spaces from conventional classrooms to interactive open spaces. Already a very sculptural building, AHMM worked closely with an artist to use large, colourful murals throughout the buildings – cleverly combining signposting with modern art.

RIBA Stirling Prize WInner 2015: Burntwood School by AHMM

Comments from the judges:“Burntwood School is the clear winner of the 2015 RIBA Stirling Prize. It is the most accomplished of the six shortlisted buildings because it demonstrates the full range of the skills that architects can offer to society.It encompasses great contemporary design and clever reuse of existing buildings as well as superb integration of artwork, landscaping and engineering. It is a genuine collaborative project. There was a wonderful working relationship between the head teacher and the architect: a true partnership of equals.

Burntwood is technically sophisticated in its use of prefabrication, its low-energy strategy and the minimal disruption to teachers and pupils during construction. It even has its own high street with a covered walkway formed from off-the-peg bus-shelters. Furthermore, the sculptural quality of the finely modelled concrete facades and the lush campus setting enhance the sense of the place.

Burntwood sets a standard in school design that every child in Britain deserves. It is a culmination of many years of creative toil by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris in designing schools up and down the country. This is their masterpiece.”

This is the first time AHMM has won the RIBA Stirling Prize. They have been shortlisted three times for previous projects: Westminster Academy (2008), Kentish Town Health Centre (2009) and for the Angel Building, London (2011).

Speaking tonight, RIBA President Jane Duncan said:“Burntwood School shows us how superb school design can be at the heart of raising our children's educational enjoyment and achievement. Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, experienced school architects, have created a stunning campus. They have produced delightful, resourceful and energy efficient buildings that will benefit the whole community in the long term. With the UK facing a huge shortage of school places, it is vital we learn lessons from Burntwood. I am delighted to present architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris with the 2015 RIBA Stirling Prize.”Paul Monaghan, Director, Allford Hall Monaghan Morris said:“Schools can and should be more than just practical, functional buildings – they need to elevate the aspirations of children, teachers and the wider community. Good school design makes a difference to the way students value themselves and their education, and we hope that Burntwood winning the RIBA Stirling Prize shows that this is worth investing in.”Helen Dorfman, Principal, Burntwood School said:“The whole Burntwood School Community is delighted and proud that the scheme has been recognised as being worthy of the Stirling Prize. The Burntwood scheme is a testament to the power of strong, collaborative partnerships. These effective partnerships between the school, AHMM, Wandsworth Council and the contractor, Lend Lease, were sustained throughout the whole process from procurement to completion. AHMM were particularly generous with their time and commitment to fully involving myself and other school representatives. Staff and students have said on many occasions that the new buildings have greatly improved the quality of their day to day experiences at the school and students comment that their commitment to learning has been enhanced.”Burntwood School was chosen by the judges today from the following outstanding shortlisted entries:Darbishire Place, Peabody Housing, London by Niall McLaughlin ArchitectsMaggie’s Cancer Care Centre, Lanarkshire by Reiach and Hall ArchitectsNEO Bankside housing, London by Rogers Stirk Harbour + PartnersUniversity of Greenwich Stockwell Street Building, London by Heneghan Peng architectsThe Whitworth, University of Manchester by MUMAThe 2015 RIBA Stirling Prize judges are: Jane Duncan, Chair and RIBA President; Peter Clegg, architect; Steve Tompkins architect and winner of the 2014 RIBA Stirling Prize; Dame Theresa Sackler, arts philanthropist and Rory Olcayto, Editor, The Architects’ Journal.The winners of two other annual RIBA awards were also announced this evening:The Fishing Hut, Hampshire by Niall McLaughlin Architects won the 2015 Stephen Lawrence Prize for the best project with a construction budget of less than £1 million. Established in memory of Stephen Lawrence who was setting out on the road to becoming an architect when he was murdered in 1993, the prize is intended to encourage fresh talent working with smaller budgets. The prize is funded by the Marco Goldschmied Foundation.National Theatre won the 2015 RIBA Client of the Year, supported by The Bloxham Charitable Trust. The award recognizes the role good clients play in the delivery of fine architecture.[The winner of the RIBA House of the Year, sponsored by specialist insurer Hiscox, will be announced as part of a new Channel 4 TV series, Grand Designs: RIBA House of the Year, in November 2015]The Architects’ Journal is the professional media partner for the RIBA Stirling Prize.The RIBA Stirling Prize is the UK’s most prestigious architecture award. Given to the architect of the building thought to be the most significant of the year for the evolution of architecture and the built environment, the RIBA Stirling Prize is judged on a range of criteria including design vision, innovation and originality, capacity to stimulate engage and delight occupants and visitors, accessibility and sustainability, how fit the building is for its purpose and the level of client satisfaction. www.architecture.com/ribastirlingprize6. Previous winners of the RIBA Stirling Prize include: Liverpool Everyman Theatre by Haworth Tompkins (2014); Astley Castle by Witherford Watson Mann (2013); Sainsbury Laboratory by Stanton Williams (2012); Evelyn Grace Academy (2011) and MAXXI Museum, Rome (2010) both by Zaha Hadid Architects; Maggie’s Centre at Charing Cross Hospital, London by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners (2009); Accordia housing development by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios/Alison Brooks Architects/Maccreanor Lavington (2008); The Museum of Modern Literature, Marbach am Neckar, Germany by David Chipperfield Architects (2007).In celebration of the 20th year of the RIBA Stirling Prize a special, free, exhibition open until 17 November brings together models of all 20 of the winning buildings. From High-Tech to Pop-Tech, Modernism to Industrialism, discover the buildings and projects that have defined British architectural debate over the last 20 years.www.architecture.com/WhatsOn/October2015/20YearsoftheRIBAStirlingPrizeExhibition.aspx9. BBC News Online is partnering with the RIBA in coverage of the 2015 RIBA Stirling Prize. www.bbc.co.uk/stirlingprize10. The Architects’ Journal is professional media partner for the 2015 RIBA Stirling Prize www.architectsjournal.co.ukCorporate support for the RIBA is vital. Please help us by acknowledging our prize sponsors:11. The RIBA Stirling Prize is sponsored by Almacantar, a property investment and development company, specialising in large-scale, complex investments in Central London, with the potential to create long-term value through development, repositioning or active asset management. Since launching in 2010, Almacantar has acquired a number of prime assets with untapped potential in the heart of London, including: Centre Point, Marble Arch Tower, CAA House, 125 Shaftesbury Avenue and One and Two South Bank Place. www.almacantar.comRIBA House of the Year is sponsored bysponsored by specialist insurer, HiscoxThe RIBA Stirling Prize party is supported by Champagne Taittinger.The Royal Institute of British Architects champions better buildings, communities and the environment through architecture and its members. www.architecture.com @RIBA #StirlingPrizeThe Royal Institute of British Architects champions better buildings, communities and the environment through architecture and our members.We provide the standards, training, support and recognition that put our members - in the UK and overseas - at the peak of their profession.